With these activities your child can:
			practise the names of musical instruments
			categorise instruments into groups - string, percussion, wind
			download instructions for making their own musical instruments
			practise vocabulary around the theme of music
			test their knowledge of and learn about music facts
			listen to a song about playing musical instruments, and focus on the phrase 'I can play the (violin)'
			read and listen to a story about a ship's orchestra
			learn about some pop stars

These activities are for all ages and levels. Younger children will enjoy the simple song, while older children with a higher level of English will enjoy the online quiz. The more answers the player gets right, the better the band plays at the end.

Activities are marked with a symbol to indicate the best age group and level. Look at these when you choose which activities to use with your child.

We are in an Orchestra is a very simple song that works well with younger children. You can find the song here:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-songs-music.htm

Before you listen to the song, explain what an orchestra is (a large group of people who play music together). Ask your child: What instruments can you find in an orchestra? This discussion can take place in your own language but your child might know the names of some instruments in English. The discussion will introduce the song and some of the vocabulary to your child.

Click on 'start song'. Listen to the song. You can turn the words off if you want to , or if your child finds the words distracting (just click on 'read').

After the song, ask your child to remember which four instruments were in the song (tambourine, clarinet, piano, violin).

You can sing the song with actions. Have an action for each instrument - pretend to shake a tambourine, play the clarinet, piano and violin. Your child will enjoy doing something active, and it will help them to remember the words.

When your child is familiar with the song you could invent some more verses (the saxophone, the drums etc)

This song is good for practising the phrase 'I can play ...' or 'I can't play...'. You can download an activity which will help your child with this. You can download the activity on the song page, as well as the lyrics. Perhaps you could expand the phrase to other activities such as 'I can swim' or 'I can't sing very well'.